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Cutting the red tape in a blue state

September 26, 2016

The State of Delaware has been promoting initiatives to encourage and support the growth of small business, and typically starting a new business in our state is a straightforward process unless you are required to have a license issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. The regulatory red tape and painfully slow process were only a few of the barriers that challenged us over the past 13 months.

Our journey began Aug. 10, 2015, as we submitted a letter of intent to the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Health Facilities Licensing and Certification to obtain licensure as a Personal Assistance Service Agency. The next requirement was to attend a mandatory meeting held in Newark Sept. 9, 2015. In October 2015 we were told that the soonest we could sit for a review of our licensure application would be July 27, 2016. Unbelievable that it should take over 11 months to have our request for licensure reviewed. Disappointed and bewildered by the process, we had no choice but to wait. Big government even in small states can be paralyzed when it comes to the regulatory process.

Our company, EldersChoice operates in several other states, and we are committed to bringing this service to Delaware. We prepared and waited for July 27. During the three-hour meeting in July only half of the 14 pages of regulations were reviewed and the state surveyors stated they typically had to schedule a second meeting to complete this process.

They were unable to give us a date for the followup meeting but assured us it needed to be within the following 90 days or we would have to start the process all over again.

It became abundantly clear that the Office of Health Facilities Licensing and Certification was not able to respond timely or well to our pursuit of licensure. Feeling frustrated and at a loss for how to work within a broken system I reached out to my state representatives Steve Smyk and Daniel Short.

Thanks to these two men, things started to happen. It was because of their intervention on our behalf that we were able to quickly schedule a followup meeting to demonstrate full compliance with all regulatory requirements. As of Sept. 2, EldersChoice of Delaware has been granted a 90-day probationary license to operate our 24/7, non-medical live-in care model which assists adults 18 and older to remain living at home with support.

Steve Smyk and Dan Short have my deepest gratitude for coming to our rescue. Steve Smyk (District 20) is my representative and Dan Short serves the people of District 39 and others like me who need his assistance. These men demonstrate their commitment to the office they hold every day in the many initiatives they champion. They embrace and model the leadership and stewardship an elected official should portray and I am forever grateful.

Norene Broadhurst
managing partner
EldersChoice of Delaware

 

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